About
The character 醍 (tí) is a phono-semantic compound, combining the semantic radical 酉, which relates to alcohol, fermentation, and wine vessels, with the phonetic component 是 (shì). Initially, it referred to a type of unfiltered liquor from early fermentation. Its most enduring use, however, comes from the compound 醍醐 (tíhú), meaning the pure essence of clarified butter. This term was adopted by Buddhist translators as a metaphor for the highest, ultimate truth, giving rise to the idiom "醍醐灌顶" (tíhúguàndǐng), which describes the experience of sudden, profound enlightenment.
Etymology Hide
